Kessock Lifeboat crew abseil to save lives
The scenes around the North Kessock station looked more like Mountain Rescue than Royal National Lifeboat Institute over the weekend (Friday 3 and Saturday 4 September) as hundreds of brave participants abseiled down the Kessock Bridge in a fundraising challenge.
The mammoth event, which took place and concluded directly into the car park at Craigton Point, was organised by the Highland Hospice and was their first fundraising operation in over 19 months. The organisers kindly donated places to the volunteer Lifeboat crew to raise funds for the RNLI’s lifesaving work at sea.
The event was an incredible success with over £150,000 raised for the Highland Hospice. The RNLI fielded a crew of 6 abseilers, comprised of three volunteer crew and three members of family and friends. The crew team included fundraisers who raised over £900 for the RNLI.
Paul Thomas, Lifeboat Operations Manager for RNLI Kessock Lifeboat, says: ‘We are delighted to learn that the event raised such an incredible amount for the Highland Hospice and know that these funds make such a difference to the many people and families that they help in the local area.”
He continued, “We are very grateful for the charity places they provided us with to raise funds for our own lifesaving work at sea, and proud of the crew and family who took part on our behalf.”
One of the RNLI Kessock crew members who took part was Lindsey Randall. Lindsey said, “It was a great experience to take part in the abseil and especially to do it for the Lifeboat Crew which I joined back in February. My mum and her friend took part too and between us we raised over £600. I know first hand what it takes to train and equip the lifeboat volunteers to be safe to respond in an emergency at sea. This was a perfect opportunity to contribute towards these costs, especially as the RNLI is a charity. I would definitely do it again next year!”
The crew from RNLI Kessock will be appearing at Eden Court Theatre later this month for Q&A sessions after the screenings of Launch! On the Sea with Scotland’s Lifeboats on Thursday 16th and Sunday 19th September. This 44 minute film has been two years in the making with unprecedented access to RNLI archives and interwoven with breathtaking digital video captured by 21st century helmet cameras all set to an immersive surround sound score. Tickets available from Eden Court theatre.
RNLI media contacts
Yvette Kershaw , Lifeboat Press Officer, 07809 116153, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 01738 642986, 07920 365929, [email protected]
Gemma McDonald, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 01738 642956, 07826 900639, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789
RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 143,000 lives.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.